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Preds cull to 24

February 2, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release


ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 1) -- Calling the process one of the toughest he has faced as an Orlando Predators head coach, Jay Gruden waived eight players and placed two others on injured reserve on Monday to get down to the league-mandated 24-man roster for the 2004 regular season.

The Predators released OL/DL Barry Hall, QB Chris Sanders, DS Marcus Smith, OS Anthony Bright, DS Roy Stabler, OL/DL Anthony McKenzie, OS Antwuan Wyatt, OL/DL Nate Bandy and FB/LB Kevin McLeod. The team also placed OL/DL Derrick Ham and WR/DB Michael Brown on injured reserve.

"Everyone in camp worked hard and competed for roster spots," Gruden said. "We had heated competition at every position but I feel the 24 guys we kept earned their spots and will give us the best chance to win."

Gruden had competition for roster spots at practically every position. "Chris Sanders is a fine young quarterback but Connell Maynor had a ton more experience and played well for us in the past," Gruden said. "Smith and Bandy had solid camps defensively but we had other guys that were probably just a hair better. Bright had tremendous speed but was nicked up a lot during camp and we just didn't see enough of him. Without question, all these players who could help someone at this level."

One of the most intriguing storylines from camp was the sage of WR/DS Lin-J Shell. Just one season out of Jacksonville University, the unheralded Shell paid $50 in November to attend the Predators open tryout camp. He caught the eye of Gruden and Player Personnel Director Bret Munsey and was signed a few days later. Shell switched from defensive specialist to wide receiver/defensive back and went from a long shot to make the final roster to a player who will challenge for significant playing time this season.

"It's a case of a player that was committed to following his dreams," Gruden said. "He drove down from Jacksonville with nothing but his faith in his own ability and now is going to be playing for the Predators."

For a second straight year, and "arenafootball2" star will get a chance to make the jump to the AFL with the Predators. FB/LB Marlon Moye-Moore earned a roster spot after playing in the AFL's minor league a season ago. Last year, EJ Burt set Orlando Predators records for single season sacks and forced fumbles after playing in "arenafootball2" for Cape Fear in 2002.

As expected, Joe Hamilton will get the nod at starting quarterback. Former UCF star Paul Mirranda earned a spot on the Predators roster and will most likely start at defensive specialist. In all, Orlando returns just nine players who appeared on the Predators roster last season.

The moves left the Predators with 23 players on its active roster, one less than allowed. Gruden filled that spot on Monday morning by acquiring veteran WR/LB James Bowden in a trade with the Carolina Cobras. In Bowden, the Predators acquire a versatile veteran with eight seasons of experience. His career stats include more than 8,500 all-purpose yards and 76 touchdowns. His top season came in 2001, when he caught 90 passes for 1,205 and 26 touchdowns with Tampa Bay. Playing offensive specialist, he also returned 60 kickoffs for 1,318 yards (22.0 avg.) and another touchdown. He finished third in the league in all-purpose yards with more than 230 yards per game.

"James is an excellent pick-up for us and should soften the blow of losing Thabiti Davis to salary cap issues," Gruden added. "He is a solid veteran who can play a bunch of different positions."

The Predators open the 2004 season next Sunday (Feb. 8) against arch-rival Tampa Bay at the St. Petersburg Times Forum. Kickoff is 3 p.m. and the game will be televised on NBC.

2004 Orlando Predators Roster

No. Name Position Ht. Wt. AFL Exp. College
1 Cooper, Bret WR/DB 6-0 205 10 Central Florida
2 Miranda, Paul DS 6-1 195 R Central Florida
3 McGriff, Travis OS 5-8 185 1 Florida
4 Price, Idris FB/LB 6-2 240 R New Haven
68 Taylor, JayBowden, James KWR/LB 6-15-10 196185 R7 West VirginiaNorth Carolina A&T
10 Maynor, Connell QB 6-0 180 10 North Carolina A&T
12 Fleming, Cory WR/LB 6-2 218 7 Tennessee
14 Hamilton, Joe QB 5-10 190 R Georgia Tech
18 Williams, George WR/DB 6-2 195 2 Kansas State
21 Shell, Lin-J DS 5-11 185 R Jacksonville
22 Glover, LaVar DS 5-10 185 R Cincinnati
28 McEntyre, Kenny DS 5-11 186 6 Kansas State
33 Grant, Rupert FB/LB 6-1 250 4 Howard
45 Moye-Moore, Marlon FB/LB 6-1 245 R Maryland
69 Ray, Fred OL/DL 6-3 280 4 Howard
75 Cleveland, Justin OL/DL 6-0 300 2 Siena College
90 Gaines, William OL/DL 6-5 310 4 Florida
94 Caldwell, Cecil OL/DL 6-1 285 1 South Carolina
95 Gurley, Buck OL/DL 6-2 295 R Florida
96 Burt, EJ OL/DL 6-2 265 1 West Liberty
97 Miller, Doug FB/LB 6-1 290 2 Howard
98 Smith, Jermaine OL/DL 6-3 290 2 Georgia
99 Lee, Reggie OL/DL 6-1 290 6 Florida A&M

Injured Reserve

11 Brown, Michael WR/DB 5-10 185 R Charleston-Southern
78 Ham, Derrick OL/DL 6-4 265 R Miami (Fla.)

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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